Visitors, 1903

The Caddo Herald

January 9, 1903

Mr. Frank Thurmond of Deming, New Mexico was in Caddo this week visiting relatives. He left for home yesterday, accompanied by his niece Miss Mary Allen, who will make her future home with him. Miss Mary has many admiring friend in Caddo who are grieved to have her leave, though they wish her happiness in her new home.

The Caddo Herald

April 3, 1903

Mrs. C. A. Hancock yesterday afternoon gave a reception at her beautiful home in honor of Mesdames Frank Thurmond of Deming, N. M., Ben Hampton, of Chickasha, I. T., and J. Vaughan Hardin, of Caddo. A large number of ladies of Caddo were present and enjoyed the occasion greatly. Seasonable refreshments were served.

I found this paragraph about the Thurmonds and I hope Mr. Alexander doesn't mind if I borrow it, since I'm giving him full credit. You can also visit his website. And if you want more information, simply google “Lottie Deno”.

Guns, Girls and Gamblers

How Silver City's wilder side made it a true True West town.

By Bob Alexander

One of Silver City's most notable first-rate players was Georgia-born, but Texas-trained gambler Frank Thurmond. He had two constant companions: a razor-sharp Bowie knife and Carlotta Thompkins, the red-headed female gambler who found her name fictionally written down as Faro Nell in Alfred Henry Lewis's Wolfville series of Western novels, and historically as the ever-lovely and ever-shrewd Lottie Deno. At the Gem Saloon and Theater (and other places), "Frank dealt Faro and Lottie served as lookout, occasionally taking a turn at the box." Southwestern New Mexico would remain their home forevermore. Frank Thurmond was "a man you couldn't cry in front of." He went on to kill a man in a pool-hall fracas, Dan Baxter; rob a bank that he later became vice-president of; and in the end rightfully earned a quite respectable name for himself as a rancher and mining speculator. Lottie, whom he later legally gave his name, reformed her errant ways, and lived a long life as a devout Episcopalian.